The streets fronting the depot were filled with a curious and enthusiastic crowd of Japanese, and as the Americans passed rapidly through in victorias, their mafoos wearing the royal liveries, the multitude gave voice to their welcome in repeated and prolonged shouts of “Banzai—Ten Thousand Years of Happiness!”
“Don’t give yourself too much credit for discovering a plot,” Lieutenant Winston returned sceptically, after their carriage had freed itself of the crowd and was moving along a quieter street. “What you heard is only the usual stereotyped opinion of our so-called friends here in the Far East. The European merchant and also the European resident in the Orient are trembling for fear the United States may get all the trade of China, which she might readily be doing now, if our merchant marine were equal to that of Germany or England.”
“I don’t see how that has any bearing on the subject,” Phil exclaimed, somewhat nettled at Winston’s tone of patronage.
“Simply that in order to put us out of the running they are doing their best to talk Japan and the United States into a war,” Winston replied. “To your face they are very friendly, but, behind your back! Well! it’s really best to refrain from hearing, if you can, for it’s never complimentary. They don’t love Japan any too well, but the grasping Yankee——” he ended with an expressive wave of his hand, for the crunching of gravel under the wheels of their carriage drowned his voice completely. They were entering the courtyard of the Imperial Hotel. A few minutes later all had alighted in the spacious lobby, and were being led ceremoniously to their rooms, engaged by the imperial government, whose guests they were as long as they remained in Tokyo.
“They are doing things lavishly,” Sydney exclaimed, after he had surveyed the street from his window. Great crowds of eager people had gathered about the hotel with small American flags in their hands to bid their guests welcome, while the avenue beyond as far as the eye could reach was festooned with the colors of the two nations.
“Here’s a program of our entertainment,” Winston called from his room adjoining. “They are certainly most hospitable.”
Phil and Sydney looked closely at the printed program which the servant had brought them. It was carefully and handsomely arranged, giving a sketch map of Tokyo with all the important buildings marked, and the locations of the numerous places of entertainment.
“You’d think we were foreign princes instead of only common every-day naval officers,” Sydney said as he finished reading. Phil’s face was thoughtful.
“I wonder if this welcome is really sincere,” he questioned. “The newspapers say that the relations between the two countries are terribly strained. In America we could not display this mask of friendship if there was dislike in our hearts. But the Orientals, if one may believe the writers on the subject, are different. An order from their Emperor would be sufficient to freeze a smile on everyone’s face;—a perpetual smile, made for the occasion.”
The midshipmen and Winston were now fully dressed in their most official uniform, and were patiently waiting the summons to join their captain.